Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Life-changing, an experience not to miss! Past Review

By (English Literature & Writing, Bethel University) - abroad from 08/24/2011 to 12/04/2011 with

Study Abroad Programs in England

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
A bigger understanding of different cultures, traveling, and how to cope/adapt to change and constant moving around. The traveling aspect was an key advantage for landing an internship and a job for a big-name company that specializes in travel after I returned to the States. It was most definitely worth it! Even if I hadn't gotten the internship/job advantage after I got back, it is life-changing and I learned more than I can ever try to explain in a simple review.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? Yes

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
  • Other
  • Host Family
  • Hotel
  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
  • Other
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Other
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Seeing so many different places and experiencing different cultures
  • Traveling with a group of students from my University
  • Fall break's "free travel"
* What could be improved?
  • Some destinations could be deleted from the program's itinerary in the future
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Don't pack so much and don't bring a big suitcase! Buy a heavy-duty backpack but don't fill it to the brim. I ended up not using half of the things I brought with me and bought a backpack once I was there (and stored my huge suitcase at our London based hotel while we were elsewhere). I really didn't need to bring so much with me, you can buy things (including clothes!) once you're there.